Public showers help you freshen up when you are on a long drive away from home. Whether you are a camper, traveler, driver, living in your car, or just out for a road trip, knowing the places where to shower on the road will keep you clean throughout your journey.
Public beaches, campgrounds, gym showers, swimming pools, truck stops are places where you can take a shower on the road. Some of these places are free of charge, while others have fees depending on your area.
This article will provide details about public showers, their location, fees, and what things you need and need not bring.
1. Campgrounds
A campground is an excellent place to shower when you are in a rural area. Facilities and amenities differ depending on whether they are a public or a private campground.
Private campgrounds have shower facilities where you can shower leisurely. However, payment for one-night camping is required to access their shower facilities.
Most campgrounds in public areas do not have shower facilities. But there may be coin-operated showers available in the area. Make sure to bring lots of quarters for you not to run out of water while showering.
Fees may vary. Some campgrounds allow you to park outside and access the showers, while others may require you to pay $5 or less for one-time access.
The cleanliness of the facilities also varies. Bring your toiletries, especially your shower shoes, to prevent you from getting bacterial and fungal infections.
Make sure to look the campgrounds up ahead of time before going in.
2. Truck Stops
Truck stops are stops for truck drivers. Most truck stops have showers that are open for both truckers and non-truckers.
Truckstop showers have clean facilities and provide toiletries. A bathroom section and a shower section divide the interior of a truck stop shower. The counter will give a code to you before entering the shower room.
Shower fees range from $7-$15, which is not the cheapest option for a shower. However, some truck stops offer a free shower for people spending $50 on diesel fuel. Others offer shower credits for every gas tank fill-up.
Aside from a shower, a truck stop is an excellent stop to buy food and take a rest from a long journey.
3. Portable Shower
A portable shower is the go-to shower equipment that saves you from the hassle of searching public showers.
It is ideal for people traveling to rural areas because portable showers lack privacy. You need to find a secluded spot when you use the said equipment.
It is convenient because it gives you the freedom to shower anytime and anywhere you want (and for free!).
Solar showers, for instance, can heat the water by hanging it up in the sun. It then allows you to take the hot bath that you need.
Portable shower prices range from $11 to $300, with different styles depending on your needs and wants. It is a one-time cost for showering if you are going for a long road trip or choosing to live in your car for a long time.
4. Gyms
Most gyms have shower facilities for post-workout purposes of gym-goers.
A gym membership can give you access to shower facilities of the different branches of your chosen gym nationwide. Some gyms are also open for twenty-four hours. So you can take a shower anytime you want.
This setup is ideal for people who want a road trip in an urban area for a longer time or permanently live in their car or van.
The gym membership fee varies. If you want to save, some gyms give a free trial pass. A free trial pass lets you check and avail of their facilities, including their showers, for a limited period.
Others also offer a day pass, but for a fee.
Not all gyms provide towels and toiletries to their members., you can typically find this information on their website; if they don’t offer them, be sure to bring your own.
TIP: Check out the gyms in the route you will take to narrow down your options.
5. Swimming Pool
A place with a swimming pool always has a shower area. Not only can you freshen up but also get a chance to enjoy swimming and relax after a long drive.
Both the community swimming pool and hotel swimming pool will require you to pay a fee. Fees will let you access the swimming pool and the shower. However, the community swimming pool has an inexpensive fee compared to the hotel or resort pool.
Make sure to bring your toiletries and towels because they will not provide these to you.
6. Public Beach
Public beaches have public showers. So if you are heading to or is along the coastline, a public beach is the best area to find a public shower.
As the name implies, public showers on the public beach have no curtains or anything to give you privacy. You need to wear your bathing suit while showering. You cannot also thoroughly wash your body because it is open.
Since it is a public place, you should bring your toiletries.
Use environmentally friendly soap when you shower. The soap suds of regular soap can drain straight to the beach, affecting marine life and may cause water pollution.
If public showers are not available, you can always dip in the ocean to wash up. Just don’t use soap or shampoo when you are in the ocean. The soap and its suds are harmful to marine life.
How to locate public showers across the US?
Online directories and mobile applications can help you find public showers in the United States.
Public Shower Directory is one of the online directories that provides a list of public showers across the United States. The directory provides an updated list that is according to locations.
It contains complete details, including the name and contact numbers of the place, for easy viewing and fast searching.
Mobile applications such as iOverlander App and The Dyrt: Tent & RV Camping can filter places with public showers. YourCoast App, on the other hand, can provide you with a list of public beaches with shower facilities.
These mobile applications make searching for public showers easy. It also lets you read reviews from fellow travelers.
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Conclusion
Public showers are always available across the United States. You just have to search for your top choices to help you decide.
We also have presented the places where you can shower on the road. There are various options you can choose from while considering your location, route, budget, and convenience.
Make your road trip more rejuvenating without sacrificing cleanliness. Take your time researching and choosing public showers for your trip.
